Abstract: A cutting table having a suction chamber and operable to retain tobacco leaves thereon. A plurality of knives are located adjacent the table, and the knives and table are movable relative to one another so that the knives can be exposed above the surface of the table. A pressure device is positionable over the table and is cooperable with the exposed knives to cut tobacco leaves. The knives are located with respect to one another so that in the method of cutting wrappers from tobacco leaves, consecutive cutting operations can be performed after displacing the tobacco leaf but while maintaining the same orientation of the stem of the leaf.

Abstract: A collecting system for batchwise collection of rod-shaped objects, such as cigars and cheroots, having a collecting band releasably suspended at one end and the other end being located between a roller and spring loaded counterbacking whereby the band defines between the two ends a downwardly closed and upwardly open receptacle. A duct for feeding the rod-shaped objects communicates with the opening of the receptacle. A driver is connected with the roller and a control device is provided for ascertaining the presence of the rod-shaped objects at the upper part of the receptacle and for controlling the driver in such a manner as to gradually increase the length of the receptacle-defining band when objects are positioned above a predetermined level.